대박 Dae-bak  = that's awesome

I'm going to start by telling you that the Daebak box designs are by the far the prettiest of any subscription box I've ever seen, and the cherry blossom for spring this year is no exception. The second thing I'm going to tell you is that this box definitely lives up to it's name.. daebak! 

Daebak Box is a seasonal subscription box that ships from Korea, with at least 10 products from areas like K-beauty, K-pop, food, and others. There might be some variations between boxes, so what I have might not be the same as someone else but the differences are generally quite small. 

I got my spring box just over a week ago, so after giving everything inside a try I'm ready to share the goodies with you guys. Let's get into it shall we?

The first item inside is this Gyeonghoelu Eco Bag from Daebak themselves, which features a lovely image of the Gyeonghoeru (L and R are often interchangeable when romanizing Korean) Pavillion at Gyeonbokgung (a Royal palace in Seoul. The bag is really good quality so I'll definitely be finding a use for it soon, and I think it was a really nice inclusion in the box as it's a must-visit place if you take a trip over to South Korea. 

Next out of the box was the The Mask Shop's N.M.F Moisture Foam Cleanser. I have been using this daily and I am in love. There were two other possible variations so you could've gotten N.M.F Moisture like me, Volcano Tightening or Green Tea Mild. Thankfully I got the perfect one for me as my skin is perpetually dehydrated. This cleanser is by far the thickest I have ever used, and it smells like bar soap (you know the smell) but it's made a visible difference to the look of my skin in just a few days and my skin feels better. I'm already trying to find where I can repurchase it for when I eventually run out. 

Another skincare item in this season's box is the Tenzero Firming Eye Cream, which is another win for me. It says it'll help with fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, while it can also be applied to do the drier areas of your face to give them some tlc too. I really like the consistency of this and it absorbs quickly. My undereye area does look more hydrated since I started using it too, especially first thing in the morning. As the name "ten zero" suggests, their products are free of the main nasties. 

Is there a more seasonally appropriate product than these Etude Cherry Blossom Makeup Sponges? The shape is actually great for getting into all the little spaces around your face and the little cup they come in is great for keeping them tidy. 

Another Tenzero product is number five (5) out of the box, with the Tenzeo Cica Calming Cream. This is a lightweight gel-like moisturiser that is great for soothing irritated skin while also helping repair and hydrate. I have sensitive, easily irritated skin with plenty of things to repair, and a constant need for hydration, so I was excited to give this a try and it's been working wonders for my skin. I love it. Another big yes from me. 

Etude also has another reappearance with their Etude Lovely Cookie Blusher, which is a lovely shade for me and the cream texture makes it easy to apply and it blends out nicely to a natural finish. I did find it easier to use my finger than the included cushion though, and it lasted well throughout the day.

Getting a magazine was actually quite a nice surprise for me, and if you're interested in "k-culture" then 1st Look Magazine is definitely a good one for you. It has culture, fashion trends, k-pop, actors, and just about everything else. This issue has singer Kang Daniel on the cover. 

Something I like about Daebak box is that you do get some really cute little things that there's no way I'd ever deliberately buy for myself, and these Bean Sprout Hair Clips definitely fall into that category. Aren't they adorable? Will I ever wear them? Probably not, but they might make a selfie appearance at some point.

It definitely takes some bravery to ship a fizzy drink halfway around the world, but I am glad they did because Haitai's Coco Palm Peach is one of the most delicious things ever. It's sweet and refreshing (I love peach flavoured things) and you chew on the coconut jelly. What's not to love?? Plus, I already know where I can buy it over here!

The yummy things continue with the tenth (10th) item, these traditional snacks from Jeju Shinhyo's Jeju Gyulhyang Han-gwa. They are traditionally shared on Seollal (Korean New Year) and are sweet tangerine flavoured chewy snacks with rice puffs. That's not a great explaination but you kind of just have to eat them to understand! Also Han-gwa is the name for traditional Korean confectionary, while Gyulhyang comes from the names of the tangerines grown on Jeju island.  They are seriously yummy though. 

More sweets came out of the box next with the Lotte Confectionery Malang Cow Candy. These are chewy milk candy, that are soft and fluffy (mallang means soft/squishy in Korean), and strawberry flavoured. I can't think of an equivalent over here but they're good if you like soft, chewy, sweet things. These are in a special New Years packaging to celebrate the year of the golden ox, and each sweet has a fortune on the wrapping which is a nice thing to look for each time you unwrap one. 
These are a little too sweet for me personally (I don't eat strawberry flavoured things) but I know a lot of people who will love them for me, and I'm not mad about the inclusion. 

You can never have too many socks, and these Mid-Length Character Socks are adorable. As you can see I got  a very cute cat design, and these are soft and comfy. They're not too thick but will still keep your feet warm enough so perfect for spring. 

And the last item in the box is one that did confuse me slightly until I read the info to figure out what it was! This is a very cute ANINARA Mouse Wrist Rest that is designed to support your wrist when you're using a mouse, but in a adorable fashion. Plus, they have a suede section that can be used to give your screens a quick wipe down. Like many of you, I've been doing a lot of sofa work (I know it's bad sssssh) so it's not something I'm using right now but it's made itself a home on my desk for when I'm actually sitting down to write. 

Overall, I'm really happy with my Spring 2021 Daebak box. There are some things I really love and already want to buy again, and some that are nice to have even if I wouldn't have sought them out. Plus, lots of yummy things which is always a plus. There were really no downsides for me this season so it really was daebak for me. 

I'd love to know if you also receive the Daebak box, and if so what you think, so please leave me a comment down below. 

Or, if you're wanting to try it out for yourself you can check it out at daebak.co

Stay safe! 

I mentioned I wanted to get this going again this year, and so here it is... BOX OF THE MONTH and this month, it's Birchbox's March offering!

Now I used to be subscribed to Birchbox a couple of years ago, but cancelled my subscription simply because I felt like I was getting a lot of things that I then never used, so I was a little cautious when I resubscribed to get this box but it was only £10 so I went for it.

​There are five (5) products to take a look at and Birchbox say that they're tailored to you based on the profile you fill out when you sign up (for example you can say no to tanning products, and say how interested you are in different categories like hair, skin etc). 

The box itself I love love love with an amazing design celebrating International Women's Day and this month's partnership with Freeda (not entirely sure what they do). It's inclusive of races, sexualities and I did a happy dance when I saw the trans flag included so definite thumbs up from me. And there are three (3) products from female founded brands in this month's box, yay.

Anyway, enough talk, shall we dive in?

The first item in the box is the ​Ciate London Moondust Glow-To Highlighter (RRP £26), and the colour is so pretty on this. The info says it's a vegan-friendly pearlescent oyster toned powder, and while I'm not sure it's quite the right tone for a highlighter for me, I did quickly sweep it on across my eyelids and loved it. The box this mini is in though? The most annoying packaging this year, it was a struggle to get it out. Still pretty! Here's a swatch:

Next up is Balance Me's BHA Exfoliating Concentrate (RRP £26), which is a salicylic acid (BHA) rich, fast-acting, leave-on exfoliant, that claims to remove dead skin and tackle blackheads, spots, pores and improve hydration. It also says that it's gentle enough to not cause irritation while doing all of that, but my skin is pretty sensitive at the minute so I have opted out of giving this a go. But if you've tried it I'd love to know what you think, so please let me know in a comment! 

Third out of the box are these lovely Magnitone London WipeOut SWIPES MicroFibre Cleansing Pads (RRP £15), and the first thing you need to know is that these are so so so soft. They are effective at removing makeup (I didn't try them with waterproof mascara as I don't wear it), or for just freshening up during the day, and when they're ready to be washed just throw them in the machine with everything else. I have a few different options like these but these are by far the softest. 

I did mark that I didn't really want hair products when I filled out my profile, but I still got this Percy & Reed I Need A Hero Wonder Balm Hair Primer (RRP £19), which you use on towel-dried hair to smooth everything out before styling. It claims to keep your hair smooth and frizz-free while also boosting shine and giving your styling a bit of hold too. To be honest, this is kind of so what product for me. It doesn't give heat protection so you still need to use something else with it, and my normal products give that protection and do everything this does at the same time, and for less money. It's fine, I guess? But I won't be using it again and wouldn't have chosen it for myself to begin with. 

I kind of feel the same way about the last product in my box too, which was the Beautaniq Beauty Gold Angel Eye Mask (RRP £6). They felt like every other eye mask like them that I've used, and didn't make any noticeable difference to the puffiness around my eyes or make them look any brighter. If you just want something to feel refreshing under your eyes then they're ok, but they didn't really do anything for me and I already use a different brand which actually work, so it's a miss for me. 

So to sum up March 2021's Birchbox offering; I like the highlighter but will be using it as an eyeshadow, the exfoliating concentrate is a no for me because I am worried about irritation, the microfibre pads are amazing, and both the hair primer and the eye masks are a miss for me as I don't think they really did anything worthwhile. 

​Was it worth trying out for £10? Yes. Will I be keeping my subscription? I'm not sure yet, what do you guys think, is it worth giving it a few more tries? Let me know what you think about the products in my box in the comments, and if you're a Birchbox subscriber I'd love to know what you got! 

Be safe, x

P.S. If you're wanting to give Birchbox a try, you can use sign up over at birchbox.co.uk (not a referral link).

What better way to welcome a new season than with a new FabFitFun box? That sounds silly, I know, but really.. especially over the last year, it's been how I've marked the changing of the seasons. And apparently, it's Spring now! (my heating is still on...)

Before we get inside the box, one of the things I like the most about FabFitFun is that they partner with a different good cause each season, and this time it's One Tree Planted, who "plant trees to restore nature and biodiversity". Which is always a good thing right? I was more than happy to click that donation button on the website.

Ok, now we can get to the box itself (made of 100% recycled kraft materials, yay), which has a really cute floral design on the outside. 

For customization 1 (open to all members), I chose the Alice + Olivia Daisy Print Duffel Bag (value $150). Now do I have any need for a duffel bag right now? Of course not, but I'm clinging to the hope of travelling again at some point, and to be honest I didn't really want any of the other options anyway, or they weren't available in the UK.  The bag (below) is a really great size, and I love the design.

For customization 2 (open to all members) it was a really easy choice for me as soon as I saw the SPLENDID Faux Fur Slippers in Crystal Pink (value $48). They are soft and fluffy and I love them. They're that perfect mix for spring where your toes might still be a little chilly but you don't want to be all wrapped up like winter. 

[Other options in this customization were: Our Place Lunchbox, Billion Dollar Brows 6pc Pro Brush Essentials Kit, Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil, Gaiam Ultimate Core Toning Kit, Steel Mill & Co To-do Planning Bundle, MAC Cosmetics Powder Kiss Lipstick Duo]

Customization 3 (open to all members) was another pretty easy choice for me as soon as I saw this Alice + Olivia Reversible Bucket Hat (value $85), especially because it matches the duffel bag I had already chosen. Now I'm not a big bucket hat wearer, I tend to prefer baseball caps, but I've tried this on and it is very cute. I will be wearing it all summer long. If the black doesn't match your outfit, the reversible inside is white.. but that seems like a bug magnet to me.

{Other customization 3 options were: Verso Skincare Super Eye Serum, Joy Dravecky Chloe Ring, Bloomingville Woven Seagress Coasters, Gloss Moderne Clean Luxury Hair Masque]

Customization 4 (open to annual members only) had a few choices that I debated over, before I settled on this Sorbus Makeup Organizer (value $30) because I'm always looking for more ways to organize my life. Tell me I'm not alone I beg you. I'm happy with it, it's just the right size for what I wanted but there were definitely other items in this option that I would've also been happy with.

[Other customization 4 options were: Ahava Refreshing Facial Cleansing Gel, Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar, Lark & Ives Hair Scarf Bundle, Grown Alchemist Body Cream in Mandarin & Rosemary Leaf, Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel]

Customization 5 (open to annual members) was a tricky one for me because none of the options really screamed pick me, but I did eventually settle on these H Halston Aloe Infused Gel Lined Socks & Pumice Stone (value $40), and honestly I'm really happy I did because I've tried them and they work. I would say don't walk in them (even though they have the rubber bumps underneath) and definitely don't try going down stairs in them, but they did leave my feet softer after wearing for a little while. Thumbs up from me.

{Customization 5 options were: PUR Cosmetics Iconic Glow Illuminating Face & Body Dry Oil, Camp Collection Dip Dye Market Tote, Cocofloss Tropical Trio, Summer & Rose Rose Tweezer with Pouch]

The final section is FFF's Pick, which is 3 products they choose for you even if you're an annual member. I received the EACH JEWELS Flower Hair Clip 2 pack (value $30) which are cute and I can see them being lovely for spring, but I'm not sure how they'll work with my very thick hair, the PINK SKY Cactus Sipper Cup (value $20) which I was sceptical about when I opened the box but I've used it every day since and I love it, and the SAIE Reusable Beauty Rounds 3 pack (value $15) these are soft, fluffy and so gentle on your face while still effective at removing makeup and leaving skin refreshed and clean.
[Other items you could've received were Human + Kind Hand Scrub Elderflower & Raspberry, Earth Harbor Marina Biome Brightening Ampoule, SFGlow Sun's Out Pouts Out Lip Mask, Cali Cosmetics Body Wash, Nails Inc Nail Polish in Mayfair Lane].

Overall, I'm really happy with my Spring 2021 FabFitFun box. I got all of my choices for the customizations, and other than the hair clips my FFF picks were ok too. Unusually for me I didn't get any new skincare this season, but I love everything I received and know it will all be put to really good use. 

I'm already looking forward to what summer will have in store for us, and would love to know what you think about this season's box, regardless of whether or not you're a subscriber, so please drop me a comment down below! 

And if you'd like to try FabFitFun for yourself you can use my link below to get $10 off your first box if you sign up as a seasonal member (it helps me out too but if you don't want an affiliate link that's fine and you can just go straight to fabfitfun.com instead!) ​https://share.fabfitfun.com/x/Llfe2M


​Stay safe, x

So, where do you begin when you haven't blogged in over a year? I guess, you start here.

Like everyone else, the last 12 months have not been easy, as a carer the pandemic exacerbated a lot of things... including my mental health issues. 

And that's the simple answer behind why I stopped blogging at the start of last year. Even before our world was flipped upside down, I was already struggling, and everything that then followed just meant that I was unable to find any motivation to try and get back into it.

But, here I am! Hello! 

If you've been here before, welcome back, it's nice to see you. If you're a new visitor, I'd love it if you stuck around, so say hello and let's become friends (I always need more!).

I'm not going to sugarcoat it and say I feel better now, I don't. But today has been a "better" day for me brain-wise, so I decided to take advantage of it. Hopefully, taking this first step into getting back to blogging will give me the momentum I need to keep it going. 

I already have a couple of posts lined up in my head, both subscription box reviews, so if you're interested in those I will post on my social media when they're up, and hope to continue an idea I had last year of doing a monthly feature of a different subscription box, alongside my usual posts, so that we can explore a little together.

I think I've written enough right? I don't want to ramble, so I'll end it here. But it's good to be back, and I hope to be writing to you all again soon.

Please say hello in the comments below, or say hi over on twitter/instagram etc. (All the links are at the top of the page, on the right).

Be safe, x

The time has come, Christmas is now just 5 days away, and that means it's time to iron out those details!

Grocery lists need to be written, freezer space has to be found, and then the actual shopping has to be done.

As always, the Co-op have everything you need for an irresistible Christmas dinner, from the basics to the finishing touches.

Three must-haves for us are these Mini Chorizo Wrapped in Pancetta, Brussels Pate (we eat it on toast for breakfast), and of course, Brussel Sprouts!

Our fridge will also be home to the Shimmering Berry Cheesecake, and we'll be stocking up on mince pies too.

With a few more mouths to feed than normal, I'm also relying on the Co-op to keep me stocked on the bare necessities like bread, milk and toilet paper!

I'd love to know what you have to have for Christmas, so let me now your essentials down below.

Stay warm, and happy holidays!